How overstocked am I?

[Teeb]

I have a 75g tank with around an extra 20g in the sump/fuge running an older octo 90g skimmer. I really don't want to pass up the smoking deal that R2U has on a pair of Helfrechi's, but I know there's a little too much life in the tank right now.

Fish in the tank are:

2 Percs ~1.5"
2 Black Percs ~2"
1 Scopas Tang ~4"
1 Kole Tang ~3"
1 Coral Beauty ~3.5"
1 Pygmy Angel ~1.5"
1 Red Coris Wrasse ~4"
1 Lawnmower Blenny ~2.5"
1 Watchman Goby ~2"
1 Flame Hawkfish ~2"
1 Copperband Butterfly ~4"
1 Green Chromis ~1.5"


I think I need a bigger skimmer.

[Europhyllia]

holy cow
here's what I have in my 125g with a 50g sump:

pair of ocellaris clowns
pair of mandarins
1 pygmy goby (stay under 1")
5 PJ cardinals
1 blue/gold blenny (stay under 2")
1 midas blenny

...and I was thinking I was getting up there! lol

[RayAllen]

If you are asking this question you already know you are overstocked. Id say you need a bigger tank before you get a bigger skimmer.

[Kristy]

Best guess: probably by three or four fish.

[cyrus]

whos R2U (R@U)?

[Teeb]

Yeah, I know...unfortunately tank upgrade isn't happening until next year.

[Teeb]

whos R2U?


Reef2U...since I can't pick them up, I'll share. He's letting the pair go for $130, a little less than a single one generally goes for.

[txmaverickmh]

I dont think you are overstocked if you get a heavy duty skimmer, but thats just my humble opinion...I have a very stocked 40g, but I also have a skimmer that is rated for a 175gal...my water parameters are always tight, and for the most part, my fish are always well behaved...I am sure I am about to ignite the fish watchers, but I think each case varies in itself.

Besides, Hellfrichi Firefish, I have a pair myself, are very small, and if they get along with each other, they are very calm towards other fish.

mh

[Europhyllia]

I think psychological overstocking is probably more of a challenge to avoid than pure physical overload. I mean you can always dedicate your life to water changes etc. ;)

A few months ago I added a Kole tang. Those don't get very large. Physically it should have fit fine into my setup. But it just upset the balance in my tank. Previously happy fish were miserable and not displaying their full repertoire of natural behavior anymore.

That one little Kole was just too much although filtration wise it would have been fine.

[Kristy]

Yeah, I based my comment less on the number of fish and more on the types of fish you are mixing together...

4 clowns = turf wars
2 tangs
2 angels

I understand that you can push it but this seems like a lot to me in a 75g.

[Teeb]

Yeah, I based my comment less on the number of fish and more on the types of fish you are mixing together...

4 clowns = turf wars
2 tangs
2 angels

I understand that you can push it but this seems like a lot to me in a 75g.


Suprisingly everything gets along pretty well. I agree with 3 you mentioned, but I'm kind of stuck with the fish that I would prefer to get rid of.

My wife and son are pretty attached to the two percs, otherwise they'd be gone. There is no way I'm getting rid of my black and whites.

The Scopas came with my tank when I bought it, from what I understand, he's been bounced around the trade here for a few years. He's missing most of his top fin and has been for quite some time. My wife has also become attched to him.

The Pygmy was given to me, no real attachment to him, I guess I should get rid of him. Same thing with the chromis.

[Salty]

Did you add more rock than was in your smaller 36" tank? If you can keep the water clean and the fish are happy then it is just a question of real estate.

Thanks for the light by the way.:thumbs_up:

[Teeb]

Yeah, there's quite a bit more rock. Nitrates seems to stay around 20, not as low as I'd like, but not alarming either. I'm dosing Microbacter, Reef Biofuel and Kalkwasser which seem to help. The only thing that's died recently have been snails and couple emerald crabs, but I'm pretty sure it's the coris wrasse that's picking them off. He's cool enough that I'll put up with it.

[clone]

I think its all about how much waste they produce. YES IVE TOLD YOU SINCE LAST YEAR TO GET A BIGGER SKIMMER. If you were to up grade to alittle bit of a bigger skimmer you could pull it off. Now the wrasse, clowns, gobies and the other small fish will not eat as much which means they will not poop as much, and IMO I would not pass up the deal that jeremy has given to any of yall. Thats friend to friend and not sales to customer.

[OrionN]

With that may fishes and aggressive fishes at that, your expensive firefish will just jump out of the tank. Don't add them in. It is hard enough to keep them in a calm less populated tank.

[Europhyllia]

With that may fishes and aggressive fishes at that, your expensive firefish will just jump out of the tank. Don't add them in. It is hard enough to keep them in a calm less populated tank.
Good point!
I didn't have the avatars on before. Orion your kids are so adorable!